Reciprocatory mount for security seal



M. S. DIETZ RECIPROCATORY MOUNT FOR SECURITY SEAL June 18, 1968 Z Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30, 1965 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS June 18, 1968 M. s. DIETZ 3,388,649

RECIPROCATORY MOUNT FOR SECURITY SEAL Filed Dec. 30, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG?) (h m .fi .J O 2 E 5 u Z a: to 2 :E 0' E25 60.... g g u U '3 2 5 '5 O N I INVENTOR. o N '%XA-5 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII A V, BY

@,M.,..M wIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIlI/Ibfi ATTORNEYS June 18, 1968 5 D|ETZ RECIPROCATORY MOUNT FOR SECURITY SEAL 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 30, 1965 INVENTOR.

ATTORNE Y United States Patent 3 388 649 RECIPROCATORY MO UN I FOR SECURITY SEA L Milton S. Dietz, Lexington, Mass., assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 517,735 7 Claims. (Cl. 95-36) This invention relates to photographic apparatus for use in forming identification cards and especially to a camera with a security plate reciprocally mounted within said camera for imposing the image of a security mark across a photosensitive sheet from which the identification card is to be formed.

The camera is designed to form juxtaposed images on a photosensitive sheet. Each of the subjects for the pair of juxtaposed images is located in the field of a separate lens system. The lens systems have coincident focal planes such that negative photographic film placed at the coincident focal planes is properly positioned for receiving images from each of the lens systems. In forming identification cards, it is desirable to image a mark thereon for security purposes. This may be done by positioning a plate in the focal plane of the optical systems with the security mark thereon such that when the film is exposed the mark will intercept portions of the image to thereby impose the configuration of the image on the photographic negative.

For the negative to be removed from the focal plane of the lens systems it is transported transversely along the focal plane. During the exposure of the negative film the mask must be in pressing engagement with the film so that the security mark may be located substantially in the focal plane with tl e film. If, however, the film is drawn transversely to the focal plane with the mask pressed thereagainst, the frictional engagement of the mask and the film will cause damage to the negative film.

This invention seeks to relieve this problem by providing a movable mask which is positioned in the focal plane against the negative film during exposure of the film and which is moved out of contact with the film prior to withdrawing the film from the camera.

In the camera for use in forming identification cards speed in operation is essential, for it is desired to produce as many cards as possible within a given time. To facilitate speed in operation the mask is mounted for movement into and away from the focal plane automatically and in sequence with shutter actuation. A single actuating means is provided for operating both the shutters and for moving the security mask intoand out of the focal plane in sequence with shutter operation.

Upon operation, a portion of the actuating means moves through a prescribed path. First it engages means to position the security mask in the focal plane and, second, it engages means to actuate certain of the shutter mechanisms to expose the negative film and record the security mark thereon. Upon release of the actuating means, it returns to its original position and thereby allows the scurity mask to move away from the focal plane and back to its original position. The negative film may then be drawn along the focal plane Without frictional engagement with the surface of the security mask.

It is an object of this invention to provide a photographic apparatus having at least one lens and shutter assembly for forming an image on a negative photographic film positioned at the focal plane of the lens system and including a light-attenuating mask having a configuration thcreon which is adapted to be positioned in the focal plane of the lens system such that an image of the configuration is superimposed upon the image formed by the lens systcm.

It is also an object to provide a photographic appara- 3,388,649 Patented June 18, 1968 the having at least one lens and shutter assembly for forming an image on photosensitive material positioned in the focal plane of the lens assembly which includes a lightattenuating mask of preselected configuration mounted within the camera for movement into and out of the focal plane of the lens assembly and, thus, into and out of engagement with the photosensitive material there located.

It isalso an object to provide a camera having at least one lens and shutter assembly for forming an image on photosensitive material positioned at the focal plane of the lens assembly, a light-attenuating mask of preselected configuration which is movable into and out of engagement with the photosensitive material, and means for manually actuating the shutter which also includes coupling means responsive to the shutter actuating means for automatically moving the light-attenuating plate into engagement with the photosensitive sheet during actuation of the shutter and for removing the light-attenuating mask from engagement with the photosensitive material after release of the shutter actuating means.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the camera showing the information card supporting means.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera showing the interior of the film compartment and the film package removed from the compartment.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the camera, partially cut away, showing the film positioned in the camera for exposure and the light-attenuating mask positioned out of engagement with the film.

FIG. 4 is a view representing a partial section through FIGURE 1 in a plane indicated by the line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a view of a photographic positive produced by the camera.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view partially cut away to show the optical system and the lens and shutter assemblies.

In operation, film supply 72 is placed in the lighttight compartment formed by channel member 25 and closure 70 such that negative film 15 is positioned for exposure. Preselected configurations 2'6 and 32 on light-attenuating mask 24 are to be superimposed on the photographic images formed by means of an optical system which includes lens assemblies 56, 58, 156 and 158 and mirrors 69 and 66.

During exposure of the photographic negative 15, attenuating mask 24 is adapted to press against the film in the coincident focal planes of all the lens assemblies, such that the configurations thereon will form a clear image on the negative. Such pressure, however, damages the negative if it is not relieved before the negative is withdrawn from the camera.

Appropriate means is therefore provided for urging the mask 24 against the negative film during each exposure and for relieving the pressure at termination of exposure. Actuating button 1% engages one end of lever 12 which is pivoted intermediate its ends at 14 such that the lever rotates against the force of spring 20 when button 10 is depressed. Projection 16 on lever 12 engages L-shaped rod 18 to impart rotation thereto such that finger 22 rotates to press against extension 21 of mask 24 to pivot the mask about the hinge 23 against the force of spring 17. This pivotal motion displaces mask 24 such that it moves into engagement with the negative film 15 and such that the configuration thereon moves into the focal plane of the optical system.

Upon further motion of lever 12 it engages switch actuating means 76 to close a circuit, not shown, for simultaneously operating four solenoid actuated shutters for exposing four separate portions of negative 15, as will be more fully described. Release of button allows compression spring 20 to pivot lever 12 to the position it occupied prior to depression of button '10, such that button 10 is raised from its depressed position, and projection 16 moves out of engagement with L-shaped rod 18. Compression 17 then urges mask 24 out of engagement with negative film and thereby returns members 22 and 18 to the position they occupied prior to depression of the button 10.

The optical system of the camera includes a pair of like optical sub-systems, each of which is adapted to form a pair of juxtaposed images on a separate portion of negative film 15. When lever 12 engages switch actuating means, as described above, an electrical circuit is closed to simultaneously operate shutter blades 42, 142, 40 and 140 by means of actuation systems shown in semi-schematic form. Solenoids 50, 150, 48 and 148 operate through linkages 46, 44, 146 and 144 to rotate the shutter blades about pivots 37, 137, 39 and 139 out of covering relationship with apertures 54 and 52in plate 38, and similar apertures 154 and 152 in plate 138 which correspond to shutter blades 140 and 142. The blades are moved against the force of their respective springs 47, 147, 45 and 145. After the appropriate exposure interval, the solenoids are deenergized and the springs return their respective shutter blades to covering relationship with their respective apertures.

Lens assemblies 56 and 58 are focused externally of housing 78 for forming the first of the juxtaposed images and lens assemblies 156 and 158 are focused internally of housing 78 for forming the second of the juxtaposed images.

The subject for whom an identification card is to be made stands forward of lens assemblies 56 and 58 and in the range thereof, such that when the shutter blades 42 and 40 move out of covering relationship with apertures 54 and 52, two separate images of the subject are formed, one image being formed by each lens assembly. The image formed by lens assembly 56 is on that portion of the negative film framed by a projection of angular member 34 and a projection of plate 28, which portion cor-responds to section 82 of the final print 92. The image formed by lens assembly 58 is on that portion of the negative film bounded by a projection or angular member 30 and the edges of the film, which portion corresponds to section 80 of the final print 92. Mirror 60 includes transparent portions 64 and 62 for permitting light to pass unobstructed from lens systems 56 and 58 to film 15.

The second juxtaposed images are of an information card and are formed on portions of negative film 15 which are not occupied by the first of the juxtaposed images, which portions correspond to sections 86 and 84 of the finished print 92. Information card 68 is held against transparent support 94 by means of clips 96, the side bearing the information being disposed toward the support 94 and illuminated by appropriate means, not shown. Door 74 should be closed prior to exposure.

Movement of shutter blades 142 and 140 out of covering relationship with their corresponding apertures 154 and 152 allows mirror 66 to reflect an image of card 68 through each of the lens assemblies 156 and 158. Lens assemblies 156 and 158 form a pair of images of card 68 on mirror 66. The image formed by 156 is on the upper portion of the mirror and the image formed by 158 is on the lower portion of the mirror. The image formed on the upper portion of the mirror is reflected to that portion of negative 15 which corresponds to section 86 of finished print 92 and the image formed on the lower portion of mirror 60 is reflected to that portion of negative 15 which corresponds to section 84 of finished print 92.

Each of the configurations 32 and 26 on mask 24 is shown in the figures as a security mark which is superimposed across one of the sets of juxtaposed images formed by the optical system on the negative photographic film such that it overlaps both the first and the second of the juxtaposed images. It will, of course, be undersood that the configurations may be placed upon the mask 24 to secure imposition of their images on any desired portion of the negative.

The invention thus described prevents damage to the photographic negative film by the light-attenuating mask upon removal of the film from the camera by providing means to rapidly and automatically position the mask at the focal plane, against the film, during exposure of the film and to remove the mask from the focal plane prior to removal of the negative from its exposure position.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illusrtative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:-

1. A photographic camera comprising:

an optical system for forming an image at a focal plane within said camera;

means to support a sheet of photosensitive material at said focal plane for exposure to said image and to permit said material to be transported traversely along said focal plane;

shutter means for controlling exposures through said optical system;

manually operable actuating means for actuating said shutter means; light-attenuating mask means of preselected configuration;

means mounting said mask means within said camera for movement into and out of engagement with said photosensitive material to intercept portions of said image; and

coupling means automatically responsive to operation of said actuating means for displacing said mask means into engagement with said photosensitive material during exposure thereof to cause the configuration of said mask means to be recorded sharply on said photosensitive material during exposure.

2. A photographic camera comprising:

means to accommodate a photosensitive material;

an optical system for forming an image of a field of view I011 said photosensitive material;

shutter means for controlling exposures through said optical system;

manually operable actuating means for actuating said shutter means;

light-attenuating mask means of preselected configuration;

means mounting said mask means within said camera for movement into and out of engagement with said photosensitive material to intercept portions of said image; and

coupling means responsive to said actuating means for automatically displacing said mask means into engagement with said photosensitive material during actuation of said shutter means to cause the configuration of said mask means to be recorded sharply on said photosensitive material during ,exposure.

3. A photographic camera comprising:

means to accommodate a photosensitive sheet;

an optical system including means for forming first and second juxtaposed images on said photosensitive sheet; shutter means for controlling exposures through said optical system;

manually operable actuating means for actuating said shutter means;

light-attenuating mask means of preselected configuration;

means mounting said mask means within said camera for movement into and out of engagement with said sheet to intercept portions of said first and second images; and

coupling means responsive to said actuating means for automatically displacing said mask means into engagement with said photosensitive sheet during actuation of said shutter means to cause the configuration of said mask means to be recorded sharply on said photosensitive sheet across said first and second images during exposure.

4. A photographic camera adapted to accommodate film means including a photosensitive sheet and having shutter means, an optical system including means for fiorr'ning first and juxtaposed images on said photosensitive sheet, and apparatus for photographically imposing a mark of preselected configuration across said images, comprising:

(a) a transparent plate;

(b) a light-attenuating mask of said preselected configuration on said plate;

(c) means mounting said plate within said camera for pivotal movement into and out of engagement with said sheet;

(d) manually operable actuating means for actuating said shutter means; and

(e) coupling means responsive to said actuating means for automatically displacing said plate into engagement with said photosensitive sheet during actuation of said shutter means, whereby said security mark is imaged sharply on said photosensitive sheet across said first and second images during exposure.

5. Appanatus defined by claim 4 wherein said coupling means comprises:

('1) shaft means rotatable by said actuating means, and (2) rotary cam means on said shaft means, said cam means operating on said plate to displace said plate into engagement with said photoresponsive sheet during actuation of said shutter means.

6. The apparatus defined by claim 4 including return spring means acting on said plate to displace said plate away from said sheet after release of said actuating means.

7. The apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein said attenuating mask on said plate is disposed on the surface of said plate facing said sheet means;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,953,073 9/1960 Birch --1.1 3,171,336 3/1965 Schwimmer 95-1.1

3,345,924 10/1967 Kitrosser 951.1 

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA COMPRISING: AN OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR FORMING AN IMAGE AT A FOCAL PLANE WITHIN SAID CAMERA; MEANS TO SUPPORT A SHEET OF PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL AT SAID FOCAL PLANE FOR EXPOSURE TO SAID IMAGE AND TO PERMIT SAID MATERIAL TO BE TRANSPORTED TRAVERSELY ALONG SAID FOCAL PLANE; SHUTTER MEANS FOR CONTROLLING EXPOSURES THROUGH SAID OPTICAL SYSTEM; MANUALLY OPERABLE ACTUATING MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID SHUTTER MEANS; LIGHT-ATTENUATING MASK MEANS OF PRESELECTED CONFIGURATION; MEANS MOUNTING SAID MASK MEANS WITHIN SAID CAMERA FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL TO INTERCEPT PORTIONS OF SAID IMAGE; AND 